Name: Taylor Rae Almonte
Instagram: @taylorraealmonte
Where are you from?
I live in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
What being an ArLocal means to you:
I love engaging with and supporting my local community. As an activist, it’s important for me to start where I’m at, with the folks in my neighborhood, even while trying to make larger change around the country. I think focusing on starting at home is the best place to begin.
What industry are you in, what do you do and how do you define happiness?
I’m an actor, athlete and activist. My work primarily meets at the intersection of fitness and racial justice. My friend Kira West and I created ACTIV-ISM an anti-racism wellness program, because we know the benefits of movement for processing trauma and breaking down barriers. In all I do I seek to elevate and amplify marginalized voices. As a Reebok Athlete, I continue that Fitness Activism work. I’m also a boxing trainer at Rumble Boxing, NASM CPT, MMA Conditioning Specialist, and soon to be NASM CNC.
As an actor I’m lucky to still be working, even through the pandemic, and to have some exciting new projects coming up. I think being a multi-hyphenate has made me extremely happy. I always wanted to fit into the box of what I was told success and fulfillment looked like, but it never made me happy. Getting to share so many facets of myself means all of my work is also all of my joy. I truly love everything that I do.
What are you most passionate about?
Racial justice. My favorite quote is, “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change we seek.” – Barack Obama. I think of it often. I ask myself, if not me, who? Anyone can take the first step towards becoming an ally or a change-maker. I did it. You can too.
Charity work (if any):
Through ACTIV-ISM we have been able to donate thousands of dollars to social justice non-profits. Currently, we are partnered with Avenues For Justice right here in New York City. Avenues for Justice (AFJ) was launched in the late 1970’s as one of the first Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) programs for youth in the country. I deeply believe in their work and am lucky to be able to support their mission.
Favorite place you have been in the world:
I studied abroad in London and attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and that was definitely one of the best formative experiences I had.
Where will you get on a plane to when COVID is over?
My partner Richard and I are planning on going to Bali for our honeymoon!
Where our guests can find you:
Website: taylorraealmonte.com
Subscribe to my weekly anti-racism newsletter: https://www.taylorraealmonte.com/subscribe
Instagram: @taylorraealmonte
Join an ACTIV-ISM program: https://www.activ-ism.com/
Take class with my on Rumble TV: https://tv.doyourumble.com/authors/taylorraealmonte
Take class with me in person at Rumble in NYC: https://www.doyourumble.com/instructors_12900000001/taylor
